title: Supported community exercise in people with long-term neurological conditions: a phase II randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Adults with long-term neurological conditions have low levels of participation in physical activities and report many barriers to participation in exercise. This study examines the feasibility and safety of supporting community exercise for people with long-term neurological conditions using a physical activity support system.
  
  
  METHODS
  A phase II randomized controlled trial using computer-generated block randomization, allocation concealment and single blind outcome assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Oxfordshire and Birmingham community Inclusive Fitness Initiative gyms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with a long-term neurological condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention group (n = 51) received a 12-week, supported exercise programme. The control group (n = 48) participants received standard care for 12 weeks and were then offered the intervention.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical activity, adherence to exercise, measures of mobility, health and well-being.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-eight patients (n = 51) completed the intervention, achieving 14 gym attendances (range 0-39) over the 12 weeks. Overall activity did not increase as measured by the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (change score mean 14.31; 95% confidence interval (CI) −8.27 to 36.89) and there were no statistically significant changes in body function and health and well-being measures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  People with long-term neurological conditions can safely exercise in community gyms when supported and achieve similar attendance to standard exercise referral schemes, but may reduce other life activities in order to participate at a gym.
authors.affiliation: Movement Science Group, School of Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Elsworth
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Winward
authors.forename: Cath
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sackley
authors.forename: Charmaine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Meek
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Freebody
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Esser
authors.forename: Hooshang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Izadi
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soundy
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hilton-Jones
authors.forename: Catherine Minns
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Lowe
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paget
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tims
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Parnell
authors.forename: Smitaa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Derick
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wade
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dawes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015444:Exercise; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom